Because I’ve tested dozens of drugstore bronzers and these five are the absolute BEST…
I’m not kidding when I say that I’ve tested dozens of drugstore bronzers, guys. Dozens. This post is a long time coming, trust. As a (very) pale human, I’ve been dabbling in the wonderful world of bronzers since college and, let me tell you, it’s hard to find a baked bronzer or a matte bronzer that gives you that perfect sun kissed skin and healthy glow. I’ve found that most bronzers are made for darker skin tones (at least darker than MY skin tone), but these five faves are all perfect for both the face and body and come in various shades 🙂
P.S.- I still love the Gucci Bronzer and CHANEL’s cream bronzer, but these bronzers from the drugstore are all amazing and, obviously, a LOT cheaper. Oh, and I also wanted to note that these bronzers are all pressed powder – I’ll save cream bronzers for another post!
5 Best Drugstore Bronzers
1// Revlon SkinLights Prismatic Bronzer in Sunset Glow
This pressed powder bronzer from Revlon was the first drugstore bronzer I decided that I loved; it’s created with silky soft texture and crystal-like pigments…you get the shimmery glow without the glitter, you know? The formula is very buildable and it really does give you a healthy glow.
2// Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Light Bronzer
I’m not gonna lie, I LOVE the smell of this bronzer. It smells like that tropical vacation that I am LONG overdue for, and I find myself just smelling it…even when I’m not wearing it, lol. This ultra-rich bronzer honestly melts into your skin and has this really incredible creamy and soft texture – it’s kind of like a hybrid of a powder and cream bronzer. It’s also infused with a blend of murumuru butter, cupuacu butter and tucuma butter from the nutrient-rich Amazon jungle, giving you tons of skincare benefits as well!
3// Milani Baked Bronzer in Soleil
When it comes to baked bronzer, this version from Milani is IT. Baked on Italian terracotta tiles, this bronzer gives you a healthy glow and works well with any skin tone, IMO. The formula is super buildable and has a really pretty amount of glitter, but not too much, you know?
4// Flower Beauty Heatwave Luminous Bronzer in Sunrise
This marbleized bronzer formula blends effortlessly for that perfect sun kissed skin look. I love this matte bronzer, friends, and I’m here to tell you that the matte and shimmering powders swirl together perfectly for that lit-from-within ambient glow.
5// L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics True Match Lumi Bronze It Bronzer For Face And Body in Light
Bigger in size since it’s specifically for the face and body, ok? But this barely there shimmer really does give you a multi-dimensional bronzed complexion and all over warmth. It’s also buildable and I love wearing one or two swipes for a subtle hint, or three or four swipes for a healthy glow.
Drugstore Bronzer Application Tips
Ok, so a bronzer looks best when it’s applied to spots where the sun naturally shines: aka the temples, cheeks, chin, and nose.
Here are my best tips when it comes to applying bronzer…
Step 1: The “C” motion
Use a big, fluffy brush (I like this one) to apply first to cheeks and then move up in a “C” formation to your temples. Go light cause you don’t want streaks!
Step 2: Get that nose
When it comes to bronzing the nose, go very gently but make sure you go up and down vertically.
Step 3: Try your neck
Even though the sun doesn’t technically hit the neck, I like to apply a stroke or two the the front of my neck so that it matches my sun kissed face.
Step 4: Blend, blend, blend
Blending is key and it’s also the best way to soften up bronzer if you feel like you applied too much
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Top photo by Felicia LaSala
Sounds amazing. It is a very nice goodie list, it is very helpful.
Thank you so much.